The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
